NURTURES (Phase 1: 2011-2017) was founded on the goal of creating an integrated system of science education for PreK-3rd grade, transforming the way in which PreK-3rd science is taught through the development and implementation of a complementary science education learning model that combines inquiry and learning, formal and informal education, teachers and parents, schools, and the community, in a comprehensive effort to improve science subject interest and science achievement.

NURTURES (Phase 2: 2017-2020) built on the success of the initial phase of the program, the aims were to transform early childhood science teaching and engage families of PreK-3 students in science inquiry practices to measurably improve student science, literacy, and math achievement. A particularly important facet of this follow-up project was to research how each component (teacher professional development versus family engagement) impacts student learning.

NURTURES (Phase 3: 2020-2024) was funded to specifically work with military-connected teachers and their classroom families. In this phase, NURTURES worked with multiple site teams to implement teacher professional development and family engagement programming on a nationwide scale.

NURTURES (Phase 4: 2025-2029) building on promising research findings, NURTURES has received additional funding through the Department of Education’s Education Innovation and Research (EIR) program. This mid-phase replication and scale-up project aims to further our professional learning elements for teachers, adapt materials to meet the needs of students and families, and rigorously evaluate the program’s expansion, impact, and cost-effectiveness.